Burgess, a veteran of nearly 30 years in coaching, has spent the past ten years as both the men’s and women’s soccer coach at Capital University in Ohio. He coached the men from 2000-2009, and the women from 2002-2009.
“We’re very excited to have coach Burgess on our staff,” Bruggeman said. “He brings in a wealth of experience and talent and I have no doubt that he can continue the success that our women’s soccer program has had. I would also like to thank the efforts of the search committee. They worked hard, and under short notice, came through splendidly”
“I’m absolutely elated for the opportunity,” Burgess said. “I had ten great years at Capital and was very happy with what we accomplished, but felt it was time that I move on. It was late in the year and didn’t know what was out there, but was intrigued by the opportunity at Southern.”
“During the course of the interview process, I had a chance to spend some time with some current players and was even more drawn to the job and intrigued with their contagious excitement. I am looking forward to being a part of the tradition and being competitive in a very tough conference.”
Burgess turned around a struggling Capital men’s program that had in the previous seven seasons went 12-112-2 overall and just 1-62 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. The Crusaders men went 97-84-16 overall in Burgess’ tenure and 42-42-6 in the OAC, while he led the women to an 89-61-17 overall mark and 45-21-6 record in conference action.
Burgess’ men’s team won the OAC Conference title in November and he also had applied in January to be a member of the NCAA Rules Committee, with a September 2010 opening. In addition, Burgess is known as the “Voice of TheCrew” where he works as a color analyst. According to a Columbus OH sportswriter, Burgess will work MLS games “as much as possible.” via @smitchcd
